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Christian Saints Podcast

Christian Saints Podcast

By: James John Marks
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The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Paradosis Pavilion & Generative Sounds which explores the calendar of The Church

Episodes are hosted by James John Marks of Chicago, with oversight by Fr Symeon Kees, a priest of the Antiochian Archdiocese of North America, through which he is currently serving St Raphael Orthodox Church in Iowa City.


If this podcast is edifying for you, please consider the entire Paradosis Pavilion catalog as well as the music of Generative Sounds

https://www.youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555
https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com


https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast

https://twitter.com/podcast_saints

https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast


Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images


Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com


Please forgive us our shortcomings, and pray for us

© 2026 Christian Saints Podcast
Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
Episodes
  • How Did It Happen?
    Mar 27 2026

    00:00 Introduction
    01:42 Summary of the 12 readings
    05:35 Jesus is condemned for claiming to be God
    10:53 Why Saint Paul was a crucial member of The 12
    13:32 The 2 odd Psalms which highlight Jesus’ teaching from The Cross
    23:37 Closing

    ~~~

    Orthros of The 12 Passion Gospels - How Did It Happen?

    ~~~

    Reference materials for this episode:

    The rubrics of the service of the 12 Passion Gospels in English translation


    Scripture citations for this episode:

    Two additional Psalms read in this service prior to the usual six of Orthros
    - Psalm 19/20 & 20/21

    The 12 Gospel readings from the service
    - John 13:31-18:1
    - John 18:1-29
    - Matthew 26:57-75
    - John 18:28–19:16
    - Matthew 27:3-32
    - Mark 15:16-32
    - Matthew 27:33-54
    - Luke 23:32-49
    - John 19:19-37
    - Mark 15:43-47
    - John 19:38-42
    - Matthew 27:62-66

    Psalm 22/23
    - Jesus quotes this from the cross

    ~~~

    In our series of reflections on the Lenten Triodion we have reached the service of Holy Unction, which, strictly speaking, is after Lent is over, but we're going to carry all the way through Holy Week here.

    The Orthros of The 12 Passion Gospels is the service for the morning of Holy Friday which is typically celebrated on Thursday evening because of the shifted schedule which began on the evening of Palm Sunday (to facilitate holding the Paschal divine liturgy immediately after midnight Saturday night into Sunday morning). In this service we transition from more abstract lessons to the literal, chronological events of Jesus' arrest, trial, mockery, torture, death & burial.

    In this reflection, Jim turns our attention to why Jesus is condemned to death by The Sanhedrin & why this is so important to the identity of The Christian faith.


    The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

    Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

    https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
    https://x.com/podcast_saints
    https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
    https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
    https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

    Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

    Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

    All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
    https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
    Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
    Copyright 2021 - 2026

    Show more Show less
    27 mins
  • Do You Want to Be Healed?
    Mar 20 2026

    00:00 Introduction
    04:01 A service of healing
    06:12 Prayer is always answered
    14:20 From what does Jesus heal us?
    18:55 We were created for the good life
    21:55 Closing

    ~~~

    Holy Unction - Do You Want to Be Healed?

    ~~~

    Reference materials for this episode:

    The rubrics of the service of Holy Unction in English translation


    Scripture citations for this episode:

    Readings from the service
    - Psalm 50/51 & 142/143
    - James 5:10-16
    - Luke 10:25-37
    - Romans 5:1-7
    - Luke 19:1-10
    - 1 Corinthians 12:27 - 13:8
    - Matthew 10:1-8
    - 2 Corinthians 6:16 - 7:1
    - Matthew 8:14-23
    - 2 Corinthians 1:8 - 11
    - Matthew 25: 1-13 (which we also heard during the bridegroom services)
    - Galatians 5:22 - 6:2
    - Matthew 15:21-28
    - 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - 23
    - Matthew 9:9-13

    Isaiah 11: 6-11
    - Peace on the new earth

    John 5:1-18
    - Jesus heals the lame man on Sabbath

    2 Corinthians 12:1-10
    - Saint Paul boasts in his weakness & speaks of the thorn not taken from him

    ~~~

    In our series of reflections on the Lenten Triodion we have reached the service of Holy Unction, which, strictly speaking, is after Lent is over, but we're going to carry all the way through Holy Week here.

    Holy Unction is a penitential service of healing at the end of which parishioners are anointed with Chrism, holy oil.

    In this reflection Jim reads excerpts from the prayers of this service & expands on what it is we seek to be healed from as well as what it means for prayer to be answered both of which apply directly to why we pray & what the life of a Christian is all about.


    The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

    Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

    https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
    https://x.com/podcast_saints
    https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
    https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
    https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

    Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

    Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

    All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
    https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
    Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
    Copyright 2021 - 2026

    Show more Show less
    24 mins
  • Is Our Lamp Full?
    Mar 13 2026

    00:00 Introduction
    01:43 The parable of the ten bridemaids
    04:50 Distinct hymns & gospel readings
    13:09 Jesus’ conflict with Jewish leadership
    17:25 The twelve steps to humility by Saint Benedict
    19:23 One - Reverence for God
    20:03 Two - Doing God’s Will
    22:05 Three - Obedience to Others
    24:24 Four - Enduring Affliction
    26:09 Five - Confession
    28:27 Six - Be Content without Prestige
    29:17 Seven - Interior Conviction
    30:23 Eight - Fulfill Your Role
    31:09 Nine - Keep Silence & Solitude
    31:37 Ten - Avoid Frivolity
    32:29 Eleven - Speak Modestly & Rarely
    33:57 Twelve - Keep a modest posture
    35:17 Icons of humility in paint & in Saint Paul’s words
    38:19 Closing

    ~~~

    The 3 Bridegroom Orthros Services - Is Our Lamp Full?

    ~~~

    Reference materials for this episode:

    Rubrics of the three bridegroom services in English translation

    St John Chrysostom Homily 78 on Matthew
    - https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/200178.htm

    The Rule of St Benedict, 12 steps to humility
    - https://www.regent.edu/journal/inner-resources-for-leaders/rule-of-st-benedict-12-steps-of-humility-in-leadership/


    Scripture citations for this episode:

    Matthew 21:18-43
    - Jesus Curses the Fig Tree
    - The Authority of Jesus Questioned
    - The Parable of the Two Sons
    - The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

    Matthew 22:15-23:39
    - The Question about Paying Taxes
    - The Question about the Resurrection
    - The Greatest Commandment
    - The Question about David’s Son
    - Jesus Denounces Scribes and Pharisees
    - The Lament over Jerusalem

    Matthew 25:1-13
    - parable of the ten bridesmaids

    John 12:17-50
    - The crowd comes because Lazarus was raised from the dead
    - Some Greeks Wish to See Jesus
    - Jesus Speaks about His Death
    - The Unbelief of the People
    - Summary of Jesus’ Teaching (keep my commandments)

    Romans 13:1-7
    - Submit to the civil authorities

    Phillipians 2:1-11
    - Jesus’ humility

    ~~~

    In our series of reflections on the Lenten Triodion we have reached the 3 Orthros Services known as The Bridegroom Services, which, strictly speaking, is after Lent is over, but we're going to carry all the way through Holy Week here.

    These 3 services are held Sunday, Monday & Tuesday evening rather than Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday morning for reasons Jim explains in the video. In fact, all the services of Holy Week, after Palm Sunday Divine Liturgy, are shifted forward.

    In this episode Jim reflects on what the gospel reading & hymns of these three services set us up to become aware of & then he goes through the 12 steps of pursuing humlity as laid out in The Rule of Saint Benedict of Nursia.


    The Christian Saints Podcast is a joint production of Generative sounds & Paradosis Pavilion. Our hosts are Father Symeon Kees of Iowa City & James John Marks of Chicago.

    Paradosis Pavilion - https://youtube.com/@paradosispavilion9555

    https://www.instagram.com/christiansaintspodcast
    https://x.com/podcast_saints
    https://www.facebook.com/christiansaintspodcast
    https://www.threads.net/@christiansaintspodcast
    https://bsky.app/profile/xtiansaintspodcast.bsky.social

    Iconographic images used by kind permission of Nicholas Papas, who controls distribution rights of these images

    Prints of all of Nick’s work can be found at Saint Demetrius Press - http://www.saintdemetriuspress.com

    All music in these episodes is a production of Generative Sounds
    https://generativesoundsjjm.bandcamp.com
    Distribution rights of this episode & all music contained in it are controlled by Generative Sounds
    Copyright 2021 - 2026

    Show more Show less
    40 mins
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